Today, Hales and Fish kept that promise, and named former U.S. Attorney for Oregon Dwight Holton as chair of the commission.

"As a former U.S. attorney, he's someone that has earned a lot of confidence in our community," Fish tells WW. "He got high marks for how he engaged the public. That's one of the reasons I thought he was ideal for this assignment."

The commission has been told to look for reforms in setting water and sewer rates—especially ways to make the process more open to the public. It has until November to suggest changes to City Council.